Isn't He Marvelous?

Father's Day is just around the corner, so if you're looking for a fabulous gift for your number one man, then look no further than Byredo's charming Mister Marvelous eau de parfum.

Byredo is my preferred perfume house of the moment, for I am obsessed with the vibrant Flowerhead scent of wild jasmine blossoms and angelica seeds. I like to find an unusual scent, and Byredo's complex blends fit the bill. Based in Stockholm, Byredo was founded by Ben Gorham in 2006 and the line can now be found in Liberty.

The earthy Gypsy Water scent, perhaps the most popular, is unisex, but Mister Marvelous is just pour hommes.  Mister Marvelous is inspired by hairstylist Christiaan Houtenbos, the man who Ben Gorham sees to embody the Byredo brand. The scent is fresh at first with notes of mandarin leaf and neroli bloom, a heart of bamboo and lavender, and an inviting base of black amber and cedarwood.

Encased in the signature Byredo bottle, the scent makes for an elegant father's day gift for all manner of marvelous misters.

The eau de parfum is £130 for 100ml, available here.

Cooking Up A Cocktail: Marmite Mary

Ever since reading (and posting....) about the Ma'amite Afternoon Tea at the Botanist, I could not stop drooling at the thought of the "Marmite Mary" that accompanied the gentleman's version. 

Bloody Mary's have always been a favourite of mine. I totally adore tomato juice, and it's even better when muddled up with a generous splash (or four) of Lea & Perrins and a dash of Tabasco. As far as the vodka goes, it has to be decent stuff (me and Glenns don't get on) so my picks are Grey Goose and Belvedere. The finishing touch, though, has to be a splash of sherry which really does make the Mary. 

I have become a bit of a master of these spicy treats, and have come to sample a fair few in my time. From the classics, the best of which is at the Canny Man in Edinburgh, through to the abstract interpretations like the sake and soya infused version at Kai in Mayfair and the tequila based Bloody Maria at Wahaca. Never, though, have I thought to slug some Marmite in there- but I wish I had thought of that earlier.

I love Marmite, and so does my lovely dad, so I had to give the Marmite Mary a go for father's day! And it went down a storm!

1) Add ice to a tall glass if you like, but i'd suggest chilling the tomato juice instead as watery tomato juice is not pleasant! 

2) Dampen the rim of a tall glass with a lime wedge and dip in edge salt. We use the Las Iguanas Bloody Mary edge salt  which gives a little kick and the frosted edge looks great!

3) Pour in a measure of your chosen vodka (I am dying to try the Belvedere Bloody Mary vodka)

4) Top up with tomato juice

5) Add in your chosen spice! I highly recommend buying some Little Devils Bloody Spice Sticks as they have everything you need for the perfectly spicy Bloody Mary. I actually like to add two! If you do not have these to hand opt for Lea & Perrins, Tabasco, celery salt and black pepper to taste.

6) Add generous swirl of Big Squeeze Marmite to the mix and stir together.

Serve with a slice of celery and some spicy nibbles. Perfection!  

Daddy's Girl?

I am, and always will be, a bit of a daddy's girl. I'm a mummy's girl too, obviously, but I love my dad to pieces and he means the world to me. While he'll never understand my pointless strops and turbulent moods, nine times out of ten, father knows best.

He's grumpy, bless him, he can lose his temper and he keeps stealing my Grazia, but he is also unselfish, funny and all he wants is to make his three girls happy- as most dad's do. It's so cheesy to say, but he is one in a million and every day I count myself lucky to have him. 

I genuinely do not know what i'd do without my dad, and i'm sure you'll all feel the same, so make sure you spoil him rotten this coming Sunday for Father's Day.

I know, I know, men are tricky to buy for. You don't want to get them something crap, but everything they want they tend to have! My dad is a total nightmare to buy for, but here is a little booklet with a few failsafe buys for dad! The pork pie is my best best- what man doesn't love a pork pie, eh?

However, Dad, if you're reading, no pies for you- those pork scratchings you bought in Selfridges are already taking their toll on that ever expanding belly of yours! (I joke...)

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